The Daily Returntag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-834461573492631162010-02-14T05:54:46-08:00Bringing you back to the centerTypePadSuicide Intervention: Mental Health First Aidtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0120a8740369970b2010-02-14T05:54:46-08:002010-02-14T06:23:52-08:00Share Every year in the United States, there are approximately 33,000 reported suicides, more than twice the number of homicides. The number of suicide attempts reported every year is roughly 1.1 million. It is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 - 24. Other groups at higher risk include older adults, "non-Hispanic Whites," "Native Americans and Alaska Natives." But the risk factors for suicide - e.g. depression and other mental health disorders, drug or alcohol use, family history, exposure to suicidal behavior of others (even celebrities) - can affect anyone. Unfortunately, the warning signs of suicide...Casey Martinson

Every year in the United States, there are approximately 33,000 reported suicides, more than twice the number of homicides. The number of suicide attempts reported every year is roughly 1.1 million. It is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 - 24. Other groups at higher risk include older adults, "non-Hispanic Whites," "Native Americans and Alaska Natives." But the risk factors for suicide - e.g. depression and other mental health disorders, drug or alcohol use, family history, exposure to suicidal behavior of others (even celebrities) - can affect anyone.

Unfortunately, the warning signs of suicide risk often go unnoticed. Even when they are noticed, the taboo against discussing suicide (along with mental health problems in general) prevents many people from getting help that could save their lives.

Consider the fact that tens of millions of Americans have been trained in CPR and first aid to address physical illness and injury. But few of us are ever given any instruction on how to address mental illness and injury. In the aftermath of suicide, we all too often hear that people "had no idea" their friend or family member was in trouble. Or, "I knew she'd been depressed, but I never thought she would kill herself."

I sometimes wonder what it would be like if we could suddenly see the psychological injuries people carry with them as easily as we can spot someone with a broken leg or a bleeding wound. With more than 1 in 4 US adults suffering a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year, we might feel like we were living in a disaster zone.

The good news is that we don't need special powers to notice these injuries in others, and we don't need counseling degrees to offer some much needed help. All we need is a bit more awareness and empathy, two qualities that are the foundation of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) that I attended last weekend.

Like the CPR training provided by the American Heart Association, ASIST is a program that provides ordinary people with skills that can help save a life. It won't help you resolve the problems that may be leading somebody to suicidal thoughts, and it won't help you cure anybody's depression; those are problems that require long-term care. What it will do is help you keep an at-risk person safe long enough to connect them with that long-term care. It truly is mental health first-aid.

Of course, you would hope that you rarely, if ever, have a need to do suicide intervention with the people in your life. But aside from preparing you for an emergency scenario, ASIST can impart many practical benefits for your daily life as well, particularly a heightened interpersonal perceptiveness and more refined active listening skills. I'll be discussing these things in more detail with my next post, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, learn more about ASISThere and look for a training near you.

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/mental-health-first-aid.htmlDreams of Summertag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0120a85f2c24970b2010-02-05T12:51:23-08:002010-02-05T12:51:14-08:00Last weekend, it was minus 4 degrees when I woke up at six to walk the dogs. Even wearing insulated snow-pants, heavy boots, gloves, a scarf, a hat, and two layers of flannel under my winter coat, I felt the cold seeping into my bones before we made it one block. Generally speaking, I try to adhere to the "be here now" mantra. But I think there are times when a little bit of escape is good for the spirit. Heading to Florida for a week is certainly one way to get away from the icy grip of winter, but...Casey Martinson

Last weekend, it was minus 4 degrees when I woke up at six to walk the dogs. Even wearing insulated snow-pants, heavy boots, gloves, a scarf, a hat, and two layers of flannel under my winter coat, I felt the cold seeping into my bones before we made it one block.

Generally speaking, I try to adhere to the "be here now" mantra. But I think there are times when a little bit of escape is good for the spirit. Heading to Florida for a week is certainly one way to get away from the icy grip of winter, but not everybody has the time and money. So here are a few low-budget "vacations" you can take without leaving town.

1) Find your own local patch of summer. If you live in a more urban area, chances are there is a nearby greenhouse or botanical garden where you can immerse yourself in a world of green any time of the year. The Enid Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden features both "misty rain forest and dry desert" environments. Admission is $20 for adults and $8 for kids. It's not the cheapest date, but compared with airfare to Miami, it's a real bargain. Plus, you'll be supporting a worthy institution that is preserving open green space in an ever more industrialized world.

If there's no botanical garden near you, check with your closest college or university. Biology departments often maintain greenhouses, and if you ask nicely, you might be invited to visit. Once you take that first deep breath of lush garden air, you won't want to leave.

2) Take a bath. In the harried hustle of our daily lives, a quick shower before a toaster breakfast often seems like the best we can hope for. We tend to forget about the joy of a long soak in the tub. Light a few candles, mix in some bath salts and put some mellow summer music on the stereo. Bob Marley is always a good choice, or if you want something a bit more abstract, there are a lot of "nature sounds" albums out there that feature gentle surf, chirping crickets, bird song, etc. Whatever puts you in a July state of mind.

3) Have an indoor beach party. Turn up the thermostat* and invite your friends over for a midsummer night's eve where shorts and flip-flops are mandatory attire. Pull out your favorite summer recipes - I like a stacked veggie burger and some vegan potato salad - and mix up some margaritas! Cue the island music and keep those winter coats out of sight till the party's over. Just be forewarned that you may have a hard time getting people out the door at the end of the night.

Those are my suggestions; how do you cope with the winter blues?

*Note, turning up the thermostat may seem environmentally insensitive to some people; if you go this route, I recommend planting a couple extra trees on Earth Day. And of course, if you stick to vegan fare, your party will be more eco-friendly than just about any meat-laden Superbowl bash that's happening this weekend ;)

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/dreams-of-summer.htmlThe Gift of Destruction?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0120a8323586970b2010-01-31T03:51:04-08:002010-01-30T14:42:59-08:00Kali, goddess of destruction My wife and I recently watched Outsourced, a movie about an American guy (Todd) who manages a customer service call center for a company that sells novelty products. At the beginning of the movie, Todd's whole department is laid off when the company decides to outsource the work to India, and Todd is sent to India to train the replacements. What follows is a charming, albeit fairly predictable culture clash comedy featuring an equally charming and predictable love story. If you're looking for a cozy evening at home with your significant other and a DVD, you...Casey Martinson

Kali, goddess of destruction

My wife and I recently watched Outsourced, a movie about an American guy (Todd) who manages a customer service call center for a company that sells novelty products. At the beginning of the movie, Todd's whole department is laid off when the company decides to outsource the work to India, and Todd is sent to India to train the replacements. What follows is a charming, albeit fairly predictable culture clash comedy featuring an equally charming and predictable love story. If you're looking for a cozy evening at home with your significant other and a DVD, you could do a lot worse.

What makes this movie memorable for me is that ensconced in the affably formulaic plot-line are some small pearls of Hindu wisdom. As Todd moves through the story, he finds himself seemingly shadowed by the fearsome image of a snarling, sword-wielding, blue goddess. Finally, he finds himself in a taxi with the female lead, his native guide and eventual love interest, Asha. When he notices a statue of the same figure on the dashboard, Asha explains:

"Oh that's Kali, the goddess of destruction."

"Why would you want the goddess of destruction in your car?"

"Sometimes destruction is a good thing. She ends one cycle so a new one can begin. Why don't you ask her for something."

"Alright... Destroy something for me so I'll understand."

His prayer is soon answered in the form of a ferry boat that explodes, leaving him and Asha stranded on the island of Gharapuri for the night. And of course, they can find only one hotel room on the whole island, the Kamasutra Suite of a local resort. Romance ensues.Though this is the explicit demonstration of Kali's power, the theme is implicitly woven through the whole film, beginning with the layoff and outsourcing of Todd's whole American office that starts the ball rolling.

A few days after watching this movie, I found myself talking to a friend who was facing some real problems at work. Some months ago, his company laid off a number of people, including the director of his department. While the move was ostensibly made to save the company from financial disaster, the cuts were perhaps a bit too deep. Morale suffered a terrible blow, and soon, several people who the initial layoffs were quitting of their own free will, desperate to find a more stable environment. It seemed to my friend that the whole company was imploding; he had more work than he could handle after taking on responsibilities from those who left, and management seemed to be chasing its tail. He wasn't sure if he could stick it out much longer, but also felt guilty about leaving.

Listening to his concerns, the image of Kali came into my mind. I told him about the movie and Asha's observation that sometimes the old order must be destroyed so that a new cycle can begin. As we sat and reflected on this idea, he remembered other times in his past when new life rose from the ashes of what seemed at the time like total calamity. Remembering these events, he felt more at ease with his current circumstances. Regardless of whether he decided to stay or go, he began to see that in this crisis, there was also opportunity.

If we think about it, we can all see the spirit of Kali at work in our lives from time to time. At the national level, the economic meltdown of the last two years is an obvious example. Clearly, none of us would wish for disaster to strike. Nor would I ever say to somebody suffering the grief, pain and uncertainty that comes with loss, "Don't worry. This is just part of the natural cycle. Things will be great soon!" Sometimes in our darkest hour, the suggestion that a silver lining can be found anywhere seems not just absurd but insulting.

And yet, for those who undertake a practice of mindfulness, the fact that life is an endless cycle of change becomes inescapable. We soon find that every down has an up, every in has an out, every light has a dark. Moreover, in every grain of suffering, there is a seed of liberation, waiting to be watered. After all, when we're happy, we don't often take time to ponder the questions that lead to wisdom: Who am I? Why am I here? How should I live?

We don't need to ask Kali, as Todd did, to destroy something for us so that we can understand. She'll come knocking on our door in her own time. How will we answer?

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/the-gift-of-destruction.htmlLosing sleep? Take a Pass on the Pillstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0128772a00c1970c2010-01-29T10:47:28-08:002010-01-29T10:49:18-08:00Who needs Ambien when you have dogs? I must confess that I have never had much trouble sleeping. In fact, my ability to conk out ten seconds after my head hits the pillow has been a not infrequent source of frustration for my better half, who often tosses and turns for a good hour before drifting off. It probably doesn't help that, apparently, I have a tendency to snore like a drunk grizzly bear. But she's not alone in her nightly frustration. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than one third of adults have insomnia at some point, and 10...Casey Martinson

Who needs Ambien when you have dogs?

I must confess that I have never had much trouble sleeping. In fact, my ability to conk out ten seconds after my head hits the pillow has been a not infrequent source of frustration for my better half, who often tosses and turns for a good hour before drifting off. It probably doesn't help that, apparently, I have a tendency to snore like a drunk grizzly bear.

But she's not alone in her nightly frustration. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than one third of adults have insomnia at some point, and 10 to 14 percent are chronic sufferers. Last year, the sleepless filled over 50 million prescriptions for medications to knock them out. Many of these drugs, like Ambien and Lunesta, carry a risk for serious side effects (depression, hallucinations, dependency, antisocial moods, and so on). On the other hand, insomnia can depress the immune system and contribute to weight gain in addition to the obvious feelings of fatigue.

The good news is that a number of natural alternatives are proving to be just as effective as pharmaceuticals.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one option that has improved sleep for more than 80% of subjects in one study.

Another promising solution is yoga. (Is there anything yoga isn't good for?) Check out this video for an easy dreamy practice:

Other tips for a restful night:

Your bed is not your desk; leave work at work

Try to give yourself three hours between your last meal and the time you hit the sack

Practice getting up at the same time every day; it's nice to sleep in on the weekend, but it can screw up your inner clock.

To help with getting up at the same time every day, don't hit snooze. Probably one of the hardest things to master for most people. When we're cozy and warm in the dark of the morning, ten more minutes is hard to resist. But more often than not, ten turns into twenty, which turns into thirty or more. If you're addicted to snooze, try moving your alarm clock so that you have to get out of bed to hit that button.

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/losing-sleep-take-a-pass-on-the-pills.htmlBetter than flax seed? Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0120a806e2a3970b2010-01-27T06:06:19-08:002010-01-27T08:17:45-08:00A few days ago, I wrote about 5 under-appreciated super foods, including flax seed, one of nature's best sources for omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). That's when my cousin Cheryl brought chia seed to my attention. In pre-Columbian America, Chia seed was highly prized by Aztec and Mayan civilizations, and with good reason! It is an excellent source of high-quality protein, calcium, potassium, trace minerals and antioxidants. Better yet, according to some sources, chia seed has more omega-3 EFAs per serving than flax seed! Does that mean we abandon the flax seed ship and climb aboard the SS Chia? Well,...Casey Martinson

A few days ago, I wrote about 5 under-appreciated super foods, including flax seed, one of nature's best sources for omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). That's when my cousin Cheryl brought chia seed to my attention.

In pre-Columbian America, Chia seed was highly prized by Aztec and Mayan civilizations, and with good reason! It is an excellent source of high-quality protein, calcium, potassium, trace minerals and antioxidants. Better yet, according to some sources, chia seed has more omega-3 EFAs per serving than flax seed!

Does that mean we abandon the flax seed ship and climb aboard the SS Chia? Well, not so fast. One caveat worth noting is that when it comes to EFAs, many experts maintain that it isn't just the quantity of omega-3 that matters; it's also important to have the right ratio of omega-3 to omega-6, and when that ratio gets too far out of balance, you may be at greater risk for heart disease, autoimmune diseases, cancer and more.

What does this have to do with our chia versus flax showdown? For optimal health, conventional wisdom has been that we need about a two to one mix of omega-6 to omega-3. Most foods have a much higher ratio. For example, olive oil has a ratio of ten to one. Yikes! As a result, the typical Western diet is way out of whack on the EFA front.

So ideally, we want to find EFA sources with more omega-3 than omega-6 in order to counteract the imbalance we find in most other foods. Chia and flax both succeed in that regard, but flax seems to have the advantage, with a one to four 6:3 ratio versus one to three with chia.

But wait! To make things even more confusing, some authorities are now saying that the whole 6:3 ratio thing is nonsense. According to Dr. Frank Sacks at the Harvard School of Public Health, "While there is a
theory that omega-3 fatty acids are better for our health than omega-6
fatty acids, this is not supported by the latest evidence. Thus the omega-3
to omega-6 ratio is basically the "good divided by the good,"
so it is of no value in evaluating diet quality or predicting disease."

Okay, I think I need to lie down now.

Confusing as it all sounds, I think this discussion underscores the point I made last week: there are a lot of "super" foods to choose from, and there's no need to play favorites. Flax seeds are great. Chia seeds are great. Eat them both!

Need some help getting down with ch-ch-ch-chia? Check out these fine looking recipes at Raw Reform.

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/better-than-flax-seed-chchchchia-.html3 Simple Meditations For Your Busy Lifetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0120a80a3b21970b2010-01-25T07:58:59-08:002010-01-25T09:10:05-08:00If you're like a lot of people, meditating is a little bit like flossing your teeth. You know it's something that you should do every day, and you've been meaning to start. Sometimes, you even get into the habit for a week, two weeks, three weeks, and you think to yourself, "I'm never going to give this up!" But at some point, the chaos of life intervenes and you fall off the wagon. And despite your good intentions, tomorrow always seems like a better time to get back on because right now your just in too much of a hurry....Casey Martinson

If you're like a lot of people, meditating is a little bit like flossing your teeth. You know it's something that you should do every day, and you've been meaning to start. Sometimes, you even get into the habit for a week, two weeks, three weeks, and you think to yourself, "I'm never going to give this up!" But at some point, the chaos of life intervenes and you fall off the wagon. And despite your good intentions, tomorrow always seems like a better time to get back on because right now your just in too much of a hurry.

Then again, maybe you're one of those perfect people who wakes up fully refreshed before your alarm goes off - in fact, you don't even set your alarm, because your circadian rhythms run like a Swiss clock. After you brush and floss, you meditate for 45 minutes, practice yoga, run three miles, lift some weights, have a bowl of oatmeal, and head off to another day of your exciting and well balanced career. If that's you, congratulations! Please forward this blog post to all of your less disciplined friends and be on your way.

For everyone else, here are a few simple meditations that are just right for you. Why? Because you don't have to fit them into your busy life; they're already in your life, waiting to be transformed from samsara to sublime. These meditations are no replacement for a traditional sitting practice, but while you're procrastinating on that front, they can help create a little more space and peace in your daily routine.

Washing Dishes Meditation - Renowned meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh gives this teaching in his book, Peace is in Every Step, and he must have had me in mind when he wrote it, because there are always dishes to be washed in my house. To most people, dish washing is a chore; that's why we invented machines to do it for us! But even if you have a machine, you still have to load it. Ugh.

If the phrase "washing dishes" makes you sigh involuntarily, take a new perspective. Come to the sink and center yourself with three deep breaths. Then begin. Instead of thinking about what you want to do (or "have to do") next, be fully present in the activity before you. As Thich Nhat Hanh says,

"...the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren't
doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your
sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite
pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of
the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I
hurry in order to eat dessert sooner, the time of washing dishes will
be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each
minute, eachsecond of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the
fact that I am here washing them are miracles!"

Each time you find that your mind has wandered in the midst of rinsing a glass, just bring it back to the moment and continue.

Red Light Mediation - Often when we get behind the wheel of a car, our outlook on life transforms. Suddenly, it's us against the world. Instead of other commuters, we see a road full of idiots whose sole purpose is to get in our way. Maybe that's why more than half of American men, and almost as many women, report that they experience road rage on a daily basis! If there is any area of our lives where we could use a lot more mindfulness, it's out on the asphalt.

I heard this advice from a meditation teacher years ago, and it has stuck with me. When you come to a red light, think of it as a reminder from the universe to come into the present moment. No matter how you choose to spend your time at the light, you're going to sit there for a period of time that is beyond your control. You can be impatient or angry or irritated about waiting, or you can see it as an opportunity to relax your grip on the wheel and take some deep, mindful breaths. You might even try having an attitude of gratitude toward the light. "Thank you for reminding me to be here now!"

Either way, you're going to sit there. The second way is better for your heart - both literally and figuratively. And the peace of mind you gather while waiting will help cultivate more peace on the whole road, spreading the benefit to everyone.

Once you're a master of red light meditation, try adapting it to other circumstances, like standing in line or riding the elevator.

Tooth Brushing Meditation - Remember what Thich Nhat Hanh said about washing dishes? It turns out that brushing your teeth is a lot like that. Most people rush through it, or they spend the time thinking about what happened at work that day, or what might happen tomorrow. Next time, be present with your tooth brushing. Your teeth are essential to your daily practice of eating, which is pretty much a matter of survival. So treat your teeth like the precious tools that they are, even if they aren't all originals! If you want, you can chant a mantra in your head, like "Om mani brushing hum, om mani brushing hum, om mani brushing hum."

I know some yogis who like to stand in tree pose while they brush, but try not to do too much at once. After all, this is about brushing your teeth, pure and simple. If your thoughts wander, bring them back to the brushing.

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/3-simple-meditations-for-your-busy-life.htmlTired of Your Yoga Videos? Try These Free Online Lessonstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c01287708bc3f970c2010-01-24T07:00:24-08:002010-01-25T09:08:50-08:00There is something to be said for routine in your yoga practice (or any fitness program). Following routines gives your body a chance to integrate patterns of movement so that they can be done without excessive conscious direction. Thus can you enter that celebrated state of "flow" that psychologists and performance experts talk about. (Learn about the concept of flow from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the man who first named it, at TED.com.) But sometimes, a routine becomes a rut. The collection of yoga DVDs my wife and I have accumulated over the years are a testament to that. Sooner or later,...Casey Martinson

There is something to be said for routine in your yoga practice (or any fitness program). Following routines gives your body a chance to integrate patterns of movement so that they can be done without excessive conscious direction. Thus can you enter that celebrated state of "flow" that psychologists and performance experts talk about. (Learn about the concept of flow from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the man who first named it, at TED.com.)

But sometimes, a routine becomes a rut. The collection of yoga DVDs my wife and I have accumulated over the years are a testament to that. Sooner or later, even our favorite routine gets a little old, and we're ready to mix things up again, to introduce a healthy dose of novelty and confusion. So I was pretty excited when I discovered the free streaming yoga lessons at yogajournal.com. Check out their selection here.

If you're new to yoga, or are looking for a short, relaxing routine for your Sunday morning, try this one:

Enjoy!

PS, if you haven't seen it, check out this story from the BBC about prisoners practicing yoga in India. For these inmates, yoga offers the potential for spiritual and physical liberation; for every three months a practitioner spends in the program, he gets 15 days off his jail time. Sounds like something we could use here in the states!

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/tired-of-your-yoga-videos-try-these-free-online-lessons.html5 Super Foods Nobody Is Talking Abouttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c0120a8019064970b2010-01-23T09:11:15-08:002010-01-25T09:10:36-08:00Some of my favorite super foods Superfoods. Every time I go through the gauntlet of health and lifestyle magazines at the grocery store checkout these days, I see cover lines about "superfoods." One of my favorite offenders is "Men's Health," (recently exposed for recycling cover lines) which seems to take an almost cynical approach to the superfood topic. One of their lists actually includes hot dogs, beef and beer. Yes, hot dogs. Because the onions you put on your hot dog have some benefit. As the old saying goes, people love to hear good news about their bad habits. The...Casey Martinson

Some of my favorite super foods

Superfoods. Every time I go through the gauntlet of health and lifestyle magazines at the grocery store checkout these days, I see cover lines about "superfoods." One of my favorite offenders is "Men's Health," (recently exposed for recycling cover lines) which seems to take an almost cynical approach to the superfood topic. One of their lists actually includes hot dogs, beef and beer. Yes, hot dogs. Because the onions you put on your hot dog have some benefit.

As the old saying goes, people love to hear good news about their bad habits. The truth is, many foods, probably even hot dogs, contain at least one compound or nutrient that is good for you. Unfortunately, writers of these lists often forget that it's the total package that matters. Hundred-dollar bills are pretty super; but if somebody tosses you a hundred dollar-bill wrapped around a lit stick of dynamite... Well, not so super. So when you read a list of superfoods, read with a critical eye.

With that disclaimer, here is my own list of superfoods. Are these the top 5 best foods in the world? Probably not. But I chose them because they don't often appear on other lists, and I think they deserve a place in your pantry.

Miso - A fermented soy bean paste that comes in a variety of colors from creamy white to dark brown. The darker the color, the richer the flavor. Like all fermented foods, miso is great for nurturing healthy intestinal flora that improve digestion. There is also evidence that it can help prevent cancer and counter the harmful effects of radiation. Macrobiotic experts say that it helps purify the blood and promote an alkaline condition in the body, which is thought to promote immune function and overall health. Miso makes a great base for soups and sauces.

Sea Vegetables - Formerly called "seaweeds," these aquatic plants are typically associated with Japanese cuisine, but in fact, they have been a part of traditional diets across the globe. In Wales, a variety known as "laver" is eaten fresh. All these plants are extremely rich in minerals and provide a multitude of health benefits like fighting cancer and heart disease and supporting healthy thyroid function. According to The Vegetable Bible, hijiki "is among the most mineral-rich of plants, containing 14 times as much calcium as cow's milk." Other popular varieties include kombu (kelp), wakame, and nori, all of which can be a nice addition to your miso soup. They also work well as an ingredient in savory stir-fries and some unique salads.

Brown Rice - Humble and unassuming brown rice may not seem sexy enough to be called a superfood, but it has been a staple of many traditional diets for centuries, and it deserves to be a staple in yours. According to Paul Pitchford's seminal nutrition bible, Healing With Whole Foods, "rice bran [which surrounds each grain of brown rice] is thought to be one of the most nutrient dense substances ever studied. It embodies over 70 antioxidants that can protect against cellular damage and preserve youthfulness." Seriously, brown rice kicks ass.

Umeboshi plum - This plum is actually a variety of apricot, and like many of the items on this list, it is popular in macrobiotic cuisine. Be forewarned that umeboshi, which comes whole or in a paste form, is a pickled food with serious kick. But along with that kick come some serious detoxifying properties that are beneficial for those suffering from hangovers, diarrhea, eczema, morning sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning (probably any kind of poisoning, actually). Like miso, it also helps support healthy digestion, which is obviously a key ingredient in getting the benefits from any other "superfood." Try this simple soba noodle salad with umeboshi dressing to get a taste of the plum's potential.

Flax seeds - One of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the plant kingdom, flax seeds provide the same heart-healthy oils found in cold-water fish, without the mercury risk or the animal cruelty and environmental destruction associated with fish consumption. Flax seeds benefit your circulatory system, your bones and your skin, and they protect against prostate and breast cancer, among other things. Note, as with any nuts and seeds, once the hull is broken, the oil in flax seeds can oxidize (go rancid) easily when the hull is exposed to light and heat. For optimum benefit, buy whole flax seeds and grind before use (a dedicated coffee grinder works well). Alternatively, you can buy ground seeds in a vacuum packed container and store in the freezer after opening. Sprinkle over just about anything from oatmeal to salad to pasta with marinara.

Later this week, I'll be posting some more tips for how to incorporate all of the above into your daily diet. In the meantime, if you're already using these super foods, tell us about your experience!

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/5-super-foods-nobody-is-talking-about.htmlTill Veganism Do Us Parttag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c012876ffba76970c2010-01-22T06:31:18-08:002010-01-25T09:11:09-08:00"I would do anything for you, dearest. Except give up bacon." My friend Jasmin blogged yesterday on the subject of a recent New York Times article regarding the recent spike in families having "green disputes." Apparently, environmental concerns (including food choices) are quickly approaching the status of religion and politics as a subject likely to cause rifts between couples, between parents and children, between siblings and so on. The good news is that there are now therapists specializing in these issues. But what kind of advice are these therapists giving? From the Times: "Changing the family diet because of environmental...Casey Martinson

"I would do anything for you, dearest. Except give up bacon."

My friend Jasmin blogged yesterday on the subject of a recent New York Times article regarding the recent spike in families having "green disputes." Apparently, environmental concerns (including food choices) are quickly approaching the status of religion and politics as a subject likely to cause rifts between couples, between parents and children, between siblings and so on.

The good news is that there are now therapists specializing in these issues. But what kind of advice are these therapists giving? From the Times:

"Changing the family diet because of environmental concerns can be particularly loaded, [according to family and marriage therapist Linda Buzzell]. She warns wives and mothers not to move a family toward vegetarianism before everyone is ready."

I've been vegan for nine years now. I know a lot of vegans, and I can imagine statements like those from Ms. Buzzell might ruffle some feathers.

Coming from the mouth of someone who presumably eats animals, the advice that wives and mothers (hello, unqualified stereotype) not push too hard against the status quo seems a bit suspect. And what is this crap about "vegetarianism" anyway? If you give a damn about animals, take the eggs and dairy out of your shopping cart. Otherwise, you might as well have a steak, because your egg and dairy habit isn't doing the animals a favor. It's just substituting one form of cruelty and exploitation for another!

See how easily I can tap into my vegan wrath? But here's the thing; I actually agree with Buzzell's advice. When somebody undergoes a vegan epiphany, the enormity of the suffering (and often, guilt) that they suddenly see beneath the surface of their former diet can be so overwhelming that it's hard to not runinto the streets yelling. They are filled with an evangelical fire, and friends and family are usually the first to feel the heat. Unfortunately, many of these bystanders just aren't ready for the revolution, and the harder they feel pushed by the new vegan in their midst, the more they feel inclined to dig in their heels.

New vegans, here is my advice to you. There are over 6 billion people in the world. Some of them are ready for your message, and some aren't, and whether they're ready or not has little to do with their social proximity to you. Do go forth and spread the word, but in a way that is gentle and respectful. For some excellent advice on effective advocacy, I highly recommend Bruce Friedrich's essay on the subject, here.

If you find yourself at an impasse with someone close to you, let it rest, and move on with your activism. Your time would be better spent addressing those who are more receptive, whether it's a neighbor, a co-worker, or a total stranger you meet on the train. In the meantime, you can continue to influence your family and friends by providing a good example. Be compassionate, forgiving, and joyful. Take the opportunities for dialog as they come. In time, you may be surprised to see those around you gradually move in your direction.

http://thedailyreturn.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/my-friend-jasmin-blogged-yesterday-on-the-subject-of-a-recent-new-york-times-article-regarding-the-recent-spike-in-families-h.htmlArt Universaltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a012875d49264970c012876fa3b88970c2010-01-21T07:09:53-08:002010-01-25T09:11:58-08:00The Milky Way Whenever my view on the world turns bleak, when the trials and tragedies of life seem to press in too hard, I often find it helpful to close my eyes and remember my place in the universe. Somehow, taking my mind to the outer limits of existence helps bring me back to center. I remember how fleeting life is, and at the same time, how the eternal is ever present in this moment. Now, instead of closing my eyes, I can just go to YouTube for this inspiring video, courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History...Casey Martinson

The Milky Way

Whenever my view on the world turns bleak, when the trials and tragedies of life seem to press in too hard, I often find it helpful to close my eyes and remember my place in the universe. Somehow, taking my mind to the outer limits of existence helps bring me back to center. I remember how fleeting life is, and at the same time, how the eternal is ever present in this moment.

Now, instead of closing my eyes, I can just go to YouTube for this inspiring video, courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History and the Rubin Museum of Art:

This video is part of the Rubin Museum's new exhibit, "Visions of the Cosmos," a collection that features representations of the universe as they emerged over the course of human history, both East and West.

About two-thirds of the works in "Visions of the Cosmos" are paintings and sculptures portraying Hindu, Jain and Buddhist worldviews, in keeping with the Rubin's dedication to deepening our understanding of Himalayan art. The last third, however, may come as a surprise: works ranging from 15th-century German and French manuscripts to a 21st-century video by the American Museum of Natural History.

Any casual student of Eastern wisdom traditions and the cosmology of modern physics would find it hard to overlook the striking similarities of vision that emerge in comparison. From relativity theory to quantum mechanics to string theory, science has continued to reveal models of the universe that align rather neatly with those described for centuries in the metaphors and myths of Eastern religions. This exhibit is a great opportunity to see those parallels in a new way. If you live in New York City and are in the mood for a contemplative afternoon, this might be your ticket. If you live elsewhere, you can still see some of the works on display in the slideshow on this page.